I did a search for Chiari within the blog and found numerous posts. Just glancing through some of the blog posts awakened the researcher in me like Rip Van Winkle after he snoozed way to long!

Here are a few snippets from the blog ~ Seriously, I think I could read the whole blog in one sitting and only grasp one-eighth of the meaning ~ it's deep and scientific and he's talking about us Chiarians ~ very interesting ~ what are your thoughts on the matter?

all humans are predisposed to the brainstem sinking into the foramen magnum due to its location beneath the skull.

Typically, the brainstem is surrounded by cisterns filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) which allows the brain to float above the foramen magnum and base of the skull thus preventing contact with the bones of the base and foramen magnum. In a Chiari malformation, it is typically the tonsillar portion of the cerebellum that gets trapped in the foramen magnum.

the location of the brainstem and cranial nerves in relationship to the base of the skull and foramen magnum. Their location makes them highly susceptible to compression by either an increase or a decrease in CSF volume in the cisterns.

A short length in the base from the front to the back of the cranial vault, predisposes the brain to crowding and a condition called Chiari malformations in which the cerebellum or brainstem gets pushed down into the foramen magnum. Chiari malformations can block both venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways causing CCSVI and hydrocephalus type conditions. Chiari malformations used to be considered as a childhood problem for the most part. However, recent studies show that trauma can cause Chiari malformations in adults. What’s more, Chiari malformations have also been associated with multiple sclerosis.

And did I mention all of the pictures and diagrams on the site? Amazing!

Thanks to your link, I've been reading the Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS site with great interest and even bought the Dr's book.

I have been dealing with Chiari in Canada where it's very difficult to even get a diagnosis. (They'd always test for MS!) Through trial and error I found a practice called cranial osteopathy which regulates the pressures in the head by relaxing the tensions in the tissues that separate the different sections in the brain. All extremely gentle hand manipulations with very little pressure applied to the head.

I go in to my appointment with brain fog, hypersensitive hearing and all the rest and come out fairly normal.

And then I do it all again next week.

Anyway, thanks for the link. The info has helped a lot and reinforced a few things for me.

Lacie's MRI

My Chiari Brain Tail ~ The difficulties of Chiari (pronounced key-ARE-ee) go beyond balance, as a lack of space at the base of the skull pushes the cerebellum and brain stem into the upper spinal canal, placing pressure on the spinal cord.

September 26, 2006 ~ The day that I was introduced to my Chiari (pronounced key-ARE-ee)

I have set up this blog in an attempt to keep friends and family posted as I embark on this new journey that I have been commissioned to take. Bear with me ~ along with my experiences, you will likely find some random ramblings about my latest passions, too. Here's my e-mail address if you want to drop me a line sometime: lemorrison70@gmail.com

Hope In You

Courage

Fearlessness may be a gift, but perhaps more precious is the courage acquired through endeavor, courage that comes from cultivating the habit of refusing to let fear dictate one's actions. ~ Aung San Suu Kyi

Leave Your Cares To The Sea

To Be Fully Human

To be fully human is to believe in something or someone,
to know that it's possible to face the unimaginable and
somehow put one foot in front of the other until you manage
to find your home again.
~ Oprah Winfrey

Ancient Buddhist Blessing

May no one who ever meets me have a meeting of little consequence. May the simple fact of our meeting assist in the fulfillment of their wishes. May I be a lamp in the darkness of life, a home for the homeless and a servant to the world.